Non-compete agreements - District of Columbia

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

One of the most comprehensive non-compete bills in the country — The Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2020 — is slated to go into effect on October 1, 2022.

The ban, which covers most employees working in D.C., was going to take effect on April 1, but was postponed due to the D.C. council’s request to review and consider the plan details. When it takes effect, employers may not have workplace policies that prohibit employees from:

1. Being employed by another person;
2. Performing work or providing services for pay for another person; or
3. Operating the employee’s own business.

Employers should review and/or revise their policies on employees who earn additional income by having other jobs (“moonlighting”).

State

Contact

Department of Employment Services

Regulations

None.

Federal

Contact

Department of Labor

Regulations

None.